Objective: Cloning of differentiation-related genes induced by all-trans retinoic acid(ATRA) from human lung cancer GLC-82 cell line.
Methods: The difference in gene expression between human lung cancer cell GLC-82 before and 8, 24 hours and 4 days after ATRA treatment was investigated by an improved protocol of mRNA differential display with SYBR Green I, a highly sensitive fluorescent stain.
Results: There were obvious differences in gene expression between human lung cancer cells before and after ATRA treatment. The expression of some genes was decreased or inhibited while that of other genes was activated temporarily or persistently. Three cDNA fragments of the differentially expressed genes were cloned and analyzed.
Conclusion: ATRA plays an important role in regulating the differentiation-related gene expression. ATRA-induced differentiation is a complex process with multiple genes involved.